Business as usual for Bristol's air ambulance following merger

Bristol's air ambulance charity has reassured supporters that it will continue as usual following the merger of the two local ambulance trusts.Great Western Air Ambulance, which sends emergency doctors and specialist paramedics to the most seriously ill or injured patients across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and Gloucestershire, will keep its name and continue to operate as normal now that Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) has been merged with the neighbouring South Western Ambulance Service. GWAS ceased to exist from today having been taken over by the Exeter-based trust. The Filton Airfield-based service attends emergencies by helicopter and by road to provide A&E care at the scene before transporting patients to the most appropriate hospital for their needs.Its paramedics are funded by the NHS but the charity receives no funding from the government or the National Lottery, and relies entirely on the generosity of the public.John Christensen, chief executive of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, said: "It is crucial that the public continue to support our cause, especially as we are trying to raise an extra £250,000 to fund a new helicopter, which will help us to provide a better level of care for our patients and will directly benefit the 2.1m people that we serve ."Despite the merger between the two ambulance trusts today, we will be continuing to operate within the same format as well as maintaining the Great Western name within our region."